THE WEEK AHEAD - WEEK OF 8/30/10

WEEKLY REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS:

• Monday (8/30): Full Marching Band 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Clarinet Sectional with Mrs. Freeman 5:00 to 6:00 PM
• Tuesday (8/31): Horn Line 3:00 to 5:00 Pit/Battery/Guard 5:30 to 8:30 PM Yankee Candle Orders and Money Due (Checks made payable to GHS Band)
• Wednesday (9/1): All State Audition forms and money due. $10.00 per entry, check made payable to GHS Band
• Thursday (9/2): Full Marching Band, 5:30 to 8:30 PM
• Friday (9/3): Full Marching Band, 3:00 to 7:00 PM

Students need to remember to bring their practice clothes, water and a snack. Sun Block, a hat and sunglasses are also a good idea.

GHS Band Fashions

The 2010 GHS Band fashions have finally arrived. Be sure to outfit your family in the latest styles. All of the following items will be sold on a first come first served basis so don't wait!!

All of our shirts start at size small and go all the way to 3X. Ladies and mens sizes are available in the polos.

Here is what we have........

• Band Booster Polos $25.00 (Different than last year's, but still made of the same fabric)
• Band Hoodie Sweatshirts $35.00 (It will be chilly soon!!)
• Band Fitted Baseball Caps $15.00 (White Cap with purple bill)
• Band Draw String Back Packs $10.00 (Purple with white lettering, really nice!)
• Band Student Purple T-Shirts $10.00 (these are dress code legal!!)
• Band Student Black Shorts $5.00 (not dress code )
• Band White Visor $12.00
• Band Purple Cap $12.00 (from 2009 season)
• Older Style Booster Polo $20.00 (limited sizes, from 2009 season)

Please make checks payable to GHS Band Boosters and also please specify ladies or mens sizes for the polo shirts.

Uniform Alterations

If there is anyone out there who would like to help with the hemming of uniforms, Adela Van Antwerp (one of our lead uniform parents) will be at school tomorrow (Tuesday, 8/24) after work around 5 pm to coordinate this activity. Fittings for the guard will also be done tomorrow, so your help would be greatly welcomed. Please come to the band room to participate.

Thanks in advance!!

Sewing Talent Needed

Message from Amy Mueller:

Hello to my fellow band parents/grandparents/friends that have a serious interest in sewing. We need some people to help make costumes/shepherd like gowns for our alternates to wear for the show (picture shepherds running around the field in long flowing gowns, helping with props and pit equipment).

I will have at least one sample gown done before our first scheduled sewing date. The only time that we can really have access to the band room (when the band isn't using it) is on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. So, we will meet THIS Wednesday August 25th. I think that I may just start right after school and plan on being there until around 8pm. Any time that you have to spare would be great. I will bring the patterns, the fabric, and some regular sewing thread. I will be using my serger and regular sewing machine. Let me know if you are coming with a serger, and I can get some extra thread. Or if you already have off-white serger thread, that would be great. Please bring your sewing machine, ironing board, iron, scissors, pins and serger, if you have one.

Email me at muelleramyk@bellsouth.net or give me a call 262-1987 with any questions or to let me know if you are coming.

Thanks, and I look forward to another fun evening of sewing,

Amy Mueller ( mother of Greta- senior, and Sophie- sophomore)

*** SCHEDULE CHANGE ***

We have had a significant calendar change that Mr. Pirzer has just found out about. He learned from our football coaches that our September 9th game against Columbia has been canceled. Instead the team is traveling to Louisiana to play a team up there. From what he understands, the team will be on national tv (espn, he thinks).

So, our weekly schedule will be as follows:

Monday, September 6 No School

Tuesday, September 7th: Horn Line 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Pit/Battery/Guard 5:30 to 8:30 PM

Wednesday, September 8th: No Rehearsals

Thursday, September 9th: Full Band 5:30 to 8:30 PM

Friday, September 10th: Full Band 3:00 to 7:00 PM

Please make these changes on your calendars. Mr. Pirzer will update on the website and give plenty of reminders as we draw closer to this time.

Band Camp 2 Journal - 2010

Day 6

Well, if you attended the meeting this evening, I am sure the performance left you speechless (and perhaps even breathless)! I don’t know that there is anything else that needs to be said, except a big huge thank you Mr. Pirzer! The band is truly a reflection of its leader …

Parents and students, enjoy this final week before school starts. You may want to use some of this time to contemplate how you can best support the band (lots of volunteer opportunities to think about, and as we saw with band camp, many hands make light work). As we heard at the meeting, the Pancake Breakfast needs a coordinator or two, and it is rapidly approaching. If you’re interested, please respond to this email and I will forward it to the appropriate person.

Signing off for now … See you after school starts!

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Day 5

As we approach the final day of band camp 2, I am sure most of you (both parents and students) are wondering where the time went. It has been quite a week! Today, in addition to the regular routine of stretching/warmups, field practice, sectionals, etc., the students were measured for their marching uniforms. I am sure we will hear at tomorrow night's meeting if help is needed with the uniform alterations.

I did not receive any reports of unusual events happening today, although I did hear of some seniors getting a surprise shower at the end of the night. A rite of passage, perhaps ... or just a celebration that their high school band camp days are almost over forever!

A few reminders for tomorrow (FRIDAY) - GHS Band Family Night:

5:00 PM Dinner, please bring food for you and your guests.

6:30 PM Parent Meeting

7:30 PM GHs Band and Guard Premiere Show

8:30(ish) DCI Watch Party in Band Room

During the parent meeting, Laura Netardus will have sign-up sheets for all of the fund raisers, so if you are interested in participating, you may sign up at that time. In addition, you will receive information about the upcoming schedule of events, and you will have the opportunity to meet other band parents. Finally, you will get to see what the students have been working on all week. Please make every effort to attend ... it will be worth it!

And really finally, students and parents are welcomed to stay after the show to watch the DCI (Drum Corps International) performance projected in the band room. While this is certainly not mandatory, it is worthwhile to see. Check out this link http://www.dci.org/ to see if you might be interested.

If you have not paid your $100 fair share payment yet, please bring it in tomorrow, if at all possible.

See everyone tomorrow!

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Day 4

Hi Everyone,

Here is another late update ...

Progress continues to be made and the students all seem to be faring quite well. In addition to the progress on the actual show, the two other highlights for today were 1) the band shoe fittings (which I didn't hear anything negative about, so I will take that as a good thing), and 2) the hamburger/hot dog feast cooked and coordinated by a group of band parents. Other than running out of ketchup and buns at the very end of the process, it seemed to be a success. Thanks to all parents who participated (I am not going to name them because then I will stay awake all night thinking about who I may have forgotten). I will do give special mention to John Weigel for his awesome Macaroni & Cheese! It was the highlight of the dinner ... Thanks to the students, as well, for being as orderly as a group of 100+ students can be. Made our job much easier.

On the food topic, don't forget to provide your student with with Lunch and Dinner tomorrow (THURSDAY) ...

Here is the note from Mr. Pirzer:

Parents, Family, Friends, and other band supporters,

Please join us this Friday at 5:00 PM for our GHS Band Family Night. Here is the schedule..

5:00 PM Dinner, please bring food for you and your guests.

6:30 PM Parent Meeting

7:30 PM GHs Band and Guard Premiere Show

8:30(ish) DCI Watch Party in Band Room

Let's pack the field with as many people as possible!! These kids have busted their tails this week and they deserve a huge audience. You will not believe what your kids have learned.

We will also have GHS Band Swag for sale, anything from sweatshirts, hat, shirts, back packs, etc...

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Day 3

First a disclaimer ... I was not personally onsite today at Band Camp, so all of my information is second hand. Everything I am saying comes from a reliable source, but the details are a bit scarce ...

Me: So how was band camp today? My source: Good

Me: Anything out of the ordinary to report? My source: No

Me: Any major accidents or illnesses? My source: No, but Mom, would you really put that in your email? Me: No, but I might not want to report that everything was good if something bad happened. My source: Got it. Nothing bad happened.

So that's the extent of it. You might want to ask your "source" to see if you can fill in some of the blanks!

A few upcoming items:

I just spoke with Amy Mueller, who has coordinated some of the sewing projects in the past. She asked me to give any of our band parents with sewing talent a "heads-up" to stand by for some upcoming sewing needs. She will provide the details later on in the week ... but if you have the talent, she needs you! She will either be in touch with you directly (if you have worked with her in the past), or you will be hearing more from me. Stay tuned!

Tomorrow (WEDNESDAY) is hot dog/burger cookout day. So, you don't have to provide dinner - we will be cooking for the students. Again, per my previous email, we still need 1 more gas grill, so if you have one we can borrow, please send me a response to this email.

Tomorrow (WEDNESDAY) is shoe day (meaning, students who need shoes will get fitted and will order shoes). Please remember to send in a check for $35 (band), $30 (guard) made payable to GHS Band Boosters.

FRIDAY is Covered Dish Dinner at 5pm. Just to clarify, you are to bring food to feed your family. And it doesn't really have to be in a covered dish. This is not a traditional potluck where everyone brings food for everyone. I know people had questions about that ...

I think that covers it for tonight!

Have a good night everyone, and see you tomorrow.

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Day 2

Quick highlights as it is late, and you should all be in process of getting a good night's sleep!

From a band parent's perspective, progress looks great! As with Saturday's session, Monday morning went quite well ... and it was hotter, and for a longer period of time. The show looks awesome so far!

The afternoon, inside sessions brought some relief from the heat.

While I was not there for the evening portion of camp, inside sources tell me there were no unusual events, so I am taking that as positive progress.

Reminder for tomorrow (Tuesday) - Pizza for Dinner. If you have not paid yet, you can do so in the morning. While I don't have the info in front of me (so I will warn you, it might be different by .50), I believe it is $2 for cheese, $2.50 for pepperoni ...

That's the report for now. Have a good Tuesday ... and thanks to all the volunteers! The load is quite light when so many are willing to participate.

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Day 1

Hello Everyone,

Just taking a moment to give a quick update on Day 1 of Band Camp 2.

The highlights:

· All students survived (and most did quite well) the morning session on the field, which ended a little early due to the rain.

· Indoor work in sectionals and as a larger group seemed to go well as students practiced music and learned some breathing fundamentals.

· The evening session on the field included Mr. Teller's workout/stretching routines to warm up, followed by drill work. Once again, the session ended early due to rain.

A few things to remember for the remainder of week:

· Think about what how you are fueling your body for this experience, even when you are not actually at camp. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate ... and be light with those "heavy meals", especially just prior to camp.

· Get a good night's sleep.

· Be sure to check the blog for what you are supposed to bring for meals each day ... it differs by the day.

· Remember to bring in your $$ for Fair Share, if you have not done so already.

See everyone tomorrow.

GHS Band Camp II Student and Parent Information

BAND CAMP II

August 7^th and August 9^th - 13^th, 2010

This camp is for all band, color guard and drumline members. We will be learning our competition show. Weather permitting; we will be outside in the mornings, late afternoon and evenings. Therefore, it is imperative that the students prepare properly for this camp.

What to Wear

• All students must wear tennis shoes and socks, comfortable shorts (black or dark blue) and light colored t-shirts. Students are encouraged to bring a change of clothes, including socks, Gold Bond and deodorant.
• Students must wear sunscreen and reapply throughout the day.
• Students need to wear a hat and sunglasses. GHS Marching Band hats can be purchased for $12 (not required)

What to Bring

• Students need to bring a large cooler of water or sport drink. Students will have an opportunity to refill their cooler during the day.
• All students need to bring the following food each day: a mid-morning snack and a mid-afternoon snack and a brown bag lunch.
• Snack foods to bring:
• Peanut butter & Jelly sandwiches, Meat sandwiches (protein), crackers, all fruit, raisins, string cheese, lunchables, carrot and celery sticks with cheese.
• * Sodas and sugar filled fruit juices need to be avoided during camp week. Also, dairy products should not be eaten in the morning this week. The hot morning sun can cause nausea and possible vomiting.
• Students will need their marching band instrument and all music each day.
• Students need to bring a 1” binder, 50 clear page protector sheets, a spiral bound set of 50 index cards and a piece of string or a shoestring about 4 feet long. Students also need to bring several pencils.

Where to Go

• All outdoor rehearsals will be on the GHS Baseball Field. Indoor rehearsals will be in the cafeteria and surrounding areas. Students should report to band room 15 minutes PRIOR to the 9am start time.

Uniforms and Shoes

• All students will be fitted for their marching band uniform during this week.
• A representative from Sunshine Band Accessories will be at GHS on the Wednesday of Band Camp #2 at 1:00 to fit students for their marching band shoes. If students need to buy shoes, they are encouraged to purchase them at this time.

How Much to Pay

• The $100.00 assessment is paid at the beginning of this camp. The money pays for some of the following things: music, drill writing, staff salaries, office supplies and copying needs, student travel uniform (shorts/T-shirt), food, uniform cleaning, transportation etc. The 2010-2011 T-Shirts and Shorts will be available by the end of camp. To receive their items, the student must have paid their Camp 1 ($100.00) and Camp 2 ($100.00) fees. The T-shirt and shorts are our Travel Uniforms to games and competitions and are required for all band and guard members.
• The GHS Band Booster Treasurers will be collecting the $100.00 assessment each morning. Make checks payable to: GHS Band Boosters
• The marching shoes are $35.00 for band students and $30.00 for guard. Students must pay for the shoes at the time of the fitting. You may pay by cash or check. Make checks payable to: GHS Band Boosters.

Schedule – Please pay particular attention to the meal requirements each day.

Saturday (9:00am – 9:00pm) Students must bring lunch, dinner and snacks

Sunday – no camp – day off

Monday (9:00am – 9:00pm) Students provide their own lunch, dinner and snacks.

The dinner on Tuesday is pizza, if the students want it. The students must buy it. Orders will be taken on Monday and Tuesday morning. ¼ pizza $3.00 cheese or pepperoni only.

Tuesday (9:00am – 9:00pm) Dinner is pizza (students buy) or bring your own dinner.

Wednesday (9:00am – 9:00pm) Dinner provided by Band Boosters

Thursday (9:00am – 9:00pm) Students provide their own dinner

Friday (9:00am – 9:00pm) Parent Night & Covered Dish Dinner 5:00 pm, Parent Meeting at 6:00 pm, Season Preview Show at 7:30 pm.

Band Camp II Volunteer Schedule - FINAL